Economy Minister Dr visited Newry to
assess a pilot flood protection programme aimed at safeguarding
local businesses from future flooding.
Following localised flooding in late 2023 the Department for the
Economy provided over £5m in targeted support to 100s of business
affected in South Down and Armagh. In 2026 the Department
provided a further £300,000 to fund a pilot scheme to
install flood protection measures in Newry city centre.
The innovative flood protection pilot takes a collective
approach, providing flooding measures across adjoining properties
to create a seamless defence that strengthens the local area's
resilience to future flooding events.
Minister Archibald was joined by Infrastructure Minister during her visit, and both
Ministers met with the pilot partner Newry Business Improvement
District (BID), local businesses and contractors delivering the
pilot.
Following the visit, the Minister said: Supporting resilient,
sustainable businesses is key to my economic vision and essential
to building strong local economies. This £300,000 flood
protection pilot will help protect 30 business properties from
future flooding while testing a new approach to preventative
flood interventions for businesses and communities in the years
ahead.
The pilot also demonstrates the benefit of cross-government
working, with the Departments for the Economy and Infrastructure
combining funding, expertise and experience to help local
businesses adapt to the challenges of climate change.
Commending the involvement of Newry BID, the Minister concluded:
The leadership shown by Newry BID and its Flood Resilience Group
has been instrumental to this pilot's success. Strong
local partnerships will remain key to building a more regionally
balanced economy.
, Minister for Infrastructure,
commented: Today's visit to Newry highlights the real difference
that can be made when government, local businesses and
communities work together to manage flood risk and build
resilience. Following the devastating flooding experienced
in the South East in 2023, this innovative pilot project is
delivering practical support to around 30 Newry businesses
identified as most at risk, helping them better protect their
premises, livelihoods and the local economy from future flooding.
This initiative demonstrates the value of collaboration across
Departments, with my Department providing specialist technical
expertise and DfE funding the delivery of vital Property Level
Protection measures. By working hand in hand with Newry BID
and local businesses, we are not only helping to strengthen
resilience today but also gathering valuable evidence to inform
future approaches to protecting businesses from flooding.
As climate change continues to increase the frequency and
severity of extreme weather events, adaption is becoming
increasingly important, with partnership working and
community-led solutions playing an essential role. This
pilot is an important step towards creating stronger, more
resilient communities and supporting businesses to adapt to
future flood risk.
Eamonn Connolly, Managing Director, Newry BID said: I am grateful
to the Ministers for their innovative partnership support for
Newry BID's Flood Resilience Group in providing these flood
defence grants for local businesses. The city centre
suffered greatly from the 2023 floods and the protection now
being put in place will be invaluable to the local business
community.
Notes to Editors:
- The non-domestic flood protection scheme pilot commenced in
February 2026, with a focus on Newry city centre, as this was
assessed as being at risk of future flooding and the Newry BID's
Flood Resilience Group was in place to coordinate the local
business community.
- Following the floods in late 2023, the Department for the
Economy provided around £1m through the Flood Damage Business
Grant Scheme and around £5m through the Enhanced Flood Damage Business
Grant Scheme,
